FILM SERIES

Florida Atlantic University has lined up 10 exceptional foreign films for its annual international film series. Not-to-be-missed titles include Gabbeh, a visual feast from Iran (Oct. 7); Daughters of the Dust, an emotionally charged 1992 endeavor that uses a patchwork of characters to tell how African-Americans survived slavery; and, from 1937, Jean Renoir's Grand Illusion (Nov. 18).

The films will unspool at 7:30 p.m. most Wednesdays from Sept. 16 through Dec. 2. (More will follow in the spring semester.) Showings are in the FAU Theater, Room 120, 2912 College Ave., Davie. Individual tickets are $4, or purchase tickets for the 10-film series for $30. For more information, call 954-236-1272.

Tip of iceberg?

A second wave of Titanic mania may be just around the corner. The video version of the film goes on sale just about everywhere on Tuesday, and it could go down in history again, this time as the top video. Variety says many retailers are reporting Titanic-sized preorders.

New next week

Knock Off: Action star Jean-Claude Van Damme pairs with veteran Hong Kong director Hark Tsui. Van Damme originally tried to break into the martial-arts film business in Hong Kong with little success. He fared better in Hollywood and returns to Hong Kong for this SonyTriStar collaboration. The film is in English.

Van Damme will make a celebrity appearance at 1:30 p.m. today at Planet Hollywood Miami in Coconut Grove. In Knock Off, he plays a jeans salesman and will present the restaurant with a pair of V Six jeans, the brand he sells in the film.